Sourcing Manager, OPEX (Starlink)

SpaceX
Bastrop, US
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mid-level supply chain professionals with mechanical parts sourcing experience working in high-volume manufacturing environments.

Best fit for

  • Experienced procurement specialists who excel in rapid supplier negotiations and capacity planning.
    — “forecast demand, evaluate capacity, and manage supply signals
  • Technical buyers comfortable interpreting engineering documentation for complex assemblies.
    — “Interpret engineering drawings and BOMs
  • Vendor managers adept at onsite supplier assessments and performance tracking.
    — “Perform onsite reviews of vendor capabilities

Things to consider

  • Substantial travel commitment required with limited remote work options.
    — “Ability to travel: up to 20-50% of work week
  • Extended hours and weekend work expected for critical deadlines.
    — “Willingness to work extended hours and weekends when needed

How to stand out

  • Quantify past cost savings and lead time reductions in supplier negotiations.
    — “Strong track record for achieving results; must be able to reference wins and quantify impact
  • Demonstrate fluency with manufacturing processes beyond basic procurement experience.
    — “Solid understanding of common manufacturing processes and machines
  • Showcase self-directed learning through certifications or tool adoption examples.
    — “History of self-learning & application of newly learned tools & techniques
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Manager

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • executed effective supply chain strategies
  • managed outsource fabrication projects
Typical background
purchasingprocurementsupply chain management

Skills & requirements

Required

Supply Chain ManagementProcurementForecastingDemand PlanningContract Management

Preferred

Mrp/erp SystemsData AnalysisNegotiation

Stack & domain

MrpErpSQLPowerbi

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SOURCING MANAGER, OPEX (STARLINK)

One of the most ambitious missions that SpaceX has undertaken to date, the Starlink constellation is our solution to providing reliable internet to the entire world. To capitalize on our technical and market success, our team will execute large-scale projects that will define the bottom-line for the Starlink program. The functions within the department include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics, inventory management, negotiation of supplier contracts and pricing, and developing the commodity strategy.

This is a high-profile, cross functional position that plays an integral role in enabling development and production flow for Starlink production. You will work in close coordination with engineering and manufacturing departments, executing effective, creative and smart supply chain strategies to achieve production goals. With integration taking place in-house, sourcing specialists are able to see their assemblies come to life every day!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Place purchase orders and resolve blocked invoices related to assigned category

Forecast demand, evaluate capacity, and manage supply signals to adjust incoming material

Track high risk components and ongoing supplier delivery performance

Communicate clearly and rapidly to influence decisions of vendors and senior leadership

Interpret engineering drawings and BOMs

Create sourcing strategies for all mechanical custom and COTS hardware

Develop a preferred supplier network and leverage it to minimize cost/lead time for the fabrication and delivery of parts

Support commodities such as machined parts, electromechanical equipment, large machining, finish processes, and mechanical assemblies

Solve complex, open-ended problems with an emphasis on speed and efficiency

Manage outsource fabrication projects including planning, coordinating with stakeholders, estimating completion, and managing vendor performance

Perform onsite reviews of vendor capabilities

Responsible for authoring of contract documents with the legal department

Management of contracts ensuring performance of the supplier meets contract obligations

Understand interrelationships between contracts and terms while applying creativity and sound business reasoning

Utilize negotiations to maximize value and cost savings benefit while lowering risk

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience working in purchasing, procurement, material planning, production planning, supply chain management, or 9+ years engineering in lieu of a degree

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience with MRP or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, as well as, managing bill of materials, work orders, and purchase orders

Experience with forecasting, demand planning, and lead time analysis across categories like MRO and VMI

Capability to prioritize multiple on-going projects and rapidly learn new manufacturing processes

Strong track record for achieving results; must be able to reference wins and quantify impact

Strong skills in data analysis using Excel, SQL, and PowerBI

Solid understanding of common manufacturing processes and machines across the Starlink ecosystem

Familiar with common material finishes and coatings, including paint, powder coat, anodize, heat treatment, etc.

American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) certification, Six Sigma certification, or similar certifications

Effective written and verbal communications skills, with strong ability to communicate to all levels of internal personnel

Demonstrated ability to work in ambiguous situations and across organizational boundaries

History of self-learning & application of newly learned tools & techniques

Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Willingness to work extended hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines

Ability to travel and communicate outside of work hours

Ability to travel: up to 20-50% of work week

Must be able to work onsite, remote work not considered

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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